Olivia Dean Wins Grammy for Best New Artist 2026 in LA Ceremony

British singer Olivia Dean has won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old London-born artist beat a strong field of nominees, including fellow Brit Lola Young, Leon Thomas, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, The Marias, and Sombr. Her victory marks her first Grammy win and her first nomination at the awards. 

Dean took the stage to accept the golden gramophone after being announced as the winner during the early part of the show. In an emotional speech, she described herself as “a granddaughter of an immigrant” and said she was “a product of bravery.” She added that those people “ought to be celebrated” and ended with the line, “We’re nothing without each other.” The award was presented by last year’s Best New Artist winner, Chappell Roan. 

The win cements Dean’s status as one of pop’s biggest breakout stars of the last year. Her upbeat, soulful tracks such as “Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” helped her reach a wide audience on both sides of the Atlantic. “Man I Need” was named BBC Radio 1’s song of 2025 and became one of her signature hits. During the ceremony, she also delivered a high-energy performance of the track, drawing cheers from the audience. 

Dean is the first British artist to win Best New Artist since Dua Lipa in 2019. She joins a list of past winners that includes Amy Winehouse, Adele, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo. The award continues a run of female solo artists taking the prize, underlining how much female voices have shaped recent pop. Industry commentators say the win reflects her commercial success and her songwriting depth.

Dean first gained attention with her debut EP OK Love You Bye in 2019. She later moved towards a lush, jazz-infused sound on her second album, The Art of Loving, released in 2025. The album helped her score three simultaneous Top 10 singles in the UK, a rare feat for a British female solo artist. Her arena tour sold out quickly, with multiple dates at London’s O2 Arena snapped up by fans. 

Raised in Highams Park, northeast London, Dean has spoken openly about her family’s immigrant background and how it shaped her. She has also been praised for standing up for her audience and speaking out on issues that matter to her fans. Fellow British artists such as Elton John have publicly congratulated her on her Grammy success. 

The Grammy win comes just weeks before the 2026 Brit Awards, where Dean and Lola Young are both up for five prizes, including Artist of the Year. With a growing fanbase at home and abroad, Dean’s Grammy for Best New Artist is seen as the start of a long international career rather than a one-off moment.